The Taimiteko – Seedling Action project by Finland’s 4H organisation takes concrete action to curb climate change by increasing carbon sinks to compensate for carbon dioxide emissions. With its origins deeply rooted in forestry, Saastamoinen Foundation found that supporting the Taimiteko – Seedling Action initiative was a natural fit for collaboration with the 4H Association.
Photo: 4H
Saastamoinen Foundation has supported the Taimiteko – Seedling Action project since 2020.
In the Taimiteko – Seedling Action project, spruce and pine saplings are planted in areas that are no longer active in forest and agriculture or peat production. Carbon sinks consisting of forests are good for soaking up carbon dioxide emissions, as they are long-lasting and active.
In addition to increasing the number of carbon sinks, Taimiteko – Seedling Action also employs hundreds of Finnish young people, especially comprehensive school graduates, who might struggle to find a summer job due to their young age. In addition to getting paid, the young people also learn about sustainable development and the importance of forests.
Through the Taimiteko – Seedling Action project, young people learn about nature, the importance of forests and their role in climate change, and sustainable development. In the Taimiteko – Seedling Action project, young people get to carry out concrete climate actions and learn about forestry.
The initiative is spearheaded by the 4H organisation, which aims to prevent social exclusion of children and youth by providing versatile activities. Themes related to life management, social skills, sustainability and well-being are an essential part of the activities provided by the 4H organisation.
Young people are employed through their local 4H organisations, who act as responsible employers by training them to plant saplings.
“Learning by doing; that is the slogan of the 4H Association in the Taimiteko project as well. The focus of what we’re doing is on something that is very important to all of us – the environment – and through this project, young people get a direct chance to have an influence on matters that are truly important to them,” explains Petteri Karttunen, chairman of Saastamoinen Foundation.
In the Taimiteko – Seedling Action project, companies, associations, foundations, other organisations and even individuals donate tree saplings, thus fulfilling their social responsibility in an easy and tangible way. Over the years, Taimiteko has involved around a hundred partners.
The objective is to plant 10,000 hectares of new forest by 2030, which is the equivalent of about 20 million seedlings.
Read more: taimiteko.fi